House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is defending her decision to reject two Republicans for a select committee investigating the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.
Speaking on the rejection of House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthyâs (R-Calif.) two picks, Pelosi accused Reps. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and Jim Banks (R-Ind.) of making statements and taking actions âthat I think would impact the integrity of the committee.â
Calling it âdeadly serious,â Pelosi explained, âThis is about our Constitution. Itâs about our country. Itâs about an assault on the Capitol that is being mischaracterized for some reason at the expense of finding the truth for the American people.â
She added, âItâs my responsibility as speaker of the House to make sure we get to the truth on this. We will not let their antics stand in the way of that.â
Watch part of Pelosiâs press briefing below:
McCarthy pulled all of his picks following Pelosiâs announcement saying, âUnless Speaker Pelosi reverses course and seats all five Republican nominees, Republicans will not be party to their sham process and will instead pursue our own investigation of the facts.â
During a news conference on Wednesday, McCarthy announced Congressional Republicans would conduct their own investigation of the attack, as IJR reported.
âWe have law enforcement, we have military, we have doctors, we have people from all walks of life,â McCarthy said.
He added, âYou want to know the answer? The American people deserve that. They donât deserve politics. They donât deserve destroying the institution.â
McCarthy accused Democrats of âplaying politicsâ and said Republicans âwant to get all the answers.â
Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R-ND), one of McCarthyâs picks, called Pelosiâs move âbullsh*t.â
âJim Banks and Jim Jordan have every right to serve on any committee Kevin appoints them to,â Armstrong said.
